eighsse2
Footballguy
Maybe if I had 40 roster spots.
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WR Henry Ruggs III (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Faust
- Start date
I'm sure he will have a chance to prove he can still play. Likely at league minimum salary...., but given how long hes been out of the game I'm skeptical it will work out.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Not only that, but it’s not like he was a seasoned veteran when he left the game. so I’m even more skeptical.
And on top of that unless he turned into a hamster I'd have to guess he's not been able to do a whole lot of running, that's a long time to get out of sync/shape no matter how young he still is.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
If Ray Rice was blackballed and he didn’t kill anyone, why wouldn’t Ruggs get blackballed for life?
3.1 yards per carry
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Yeah Rice was past his prime, but I would think what Ruggs did was pretty darn bad.
Gjallarhorn
Footballguy
Just. Stop.
Gjallarhorn
Footballguy
How is Rae Carruth looking? Does he have any juice left?
BladeRunner
Footballguy
The Juice is all gone.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
I don't believe anyone in the NFL will sign him or invite him to camp
I hope Ruggs isn't thinking about playing after he gets out of prison
That opportunity was not only wasted but he took an innocent life in the process
Kind of mind blowing that he's trending
I think we see time and time again the amount of second chances you get is relative to what teams think you do on the field. It's all that matters.
I think some would argue that what Vick or Watson did was worse. Antonio Brown was multiple levels of trouble and with a lot of really bad accusations/lawsuits. I'm sure I'm forgetting other examples.
I don't remember all the details in the Dont'e Stallworth situation, something about it all seemed not as bad as what Ruggs did, got a far more lenient sentence and for sure the victim did not suffer the same way, but he did kill a guy driving drunk and got signed the next season. Seems like the closest comp.
There is like a theme around here that anytime a player does something egregious several people say they will never play again and I'd say the only times that ever proved true was when the league did not think the player were any good(Well maybe the one exception was when AB left during the game. He could still play even at this age, but that's the first action he ever did or was accused of doing that I thought he finally took to far and was done).
Which of course brings us back to Ruggs issue is that I think team(s) would take a shot on him if they think he can still play and he won't if they don't think he can. If someone signs him they'll say they don't condone what he did, but he's paid his price and deserves a second chance. This is how this seems to work.
EBF
Footballguy
What he did was woefully irresponsible, but not overtly malicious like Carruth or OJ. I don't see a parallel.
Is a few years in prison enough punishment for taking a life? We could debate that, but it's immaterial at this point.
I would expect to see him get another opportunity. However, he was only marginally relevant even in the midst of his breakout season prior to the accident. I find it unlikely that he's going to come back and be a viable FF starter. Stranger things have happened though. If you can hold your nose and accept the idea of rooting for someone like this, it's not crazy to consider him as a stash in the deepest dynasty formats.
The reason why teams might sign him is the same reason he was WR1 in a deep draft class. Teams value speed and chunk play potential, and that's something Ruggs definitely had.
Is a few years in prison enough punishment for taking a life? We could debate that, but it's immaterial at this point.
I would expect to see him get another opportunity. However, he was only marginally relevant even in the midst of his breakout season prior to the accident. I find it unlikely that he's going to come back and be a viable FF starter. Stranger things have happened though. If you can hold your nose and accept the idea of rooting for someone like this, it's not crazy to consider him as a stash in the deepest dynasty formats.
The reason why teams might sign him is the same reason he was WR1 in a deep draft class. Teams value speed and chunk play potential, and that's something Ruggs definitely had.
Gjallarhorn
Footballguy
Gjallarhorn
Footballguy
Chaka
Footballguy
And what does that amount to from your perspective?
He was guilty, convicted and is serving his sentence.
EBF
Footballguy
He was having a nice season when the accident happened. The (horrible) contract that Jacksonville is paying Gabe Davis shows the type of value the NFL puts on lid lifters. Gabe also shows that it's not as simple as just throwing a fast guy out there and getting results. Ruggs was blossoming into an elite deep threat and brought value over replacement in that role. It's not easy to find. For the record, I have no vested interest in Ruggs and don't care either way whether he ever plays football again. However, if we could transplant pre-accident Ruggs into the NFL today, he would be on a team and he'd be a big contributor.
The two variables are:
1. Will a team sign him?
2. Can he get his speed and athleticism back?
I think it's realistic to believe the answer could be yes to both questions. Then you have to decide whether the upside for your FF team warrants the roster space and whether you'd feel comfortable cheering for Ruggs, which is a personal decision. I had Tyreek and Mixon on a bunch of my dynasty teams for many years. It was a little icky at times, but those guys had never gotten anyone killed. It would be harder to root for Ruggs.
The two variables are:
1. Will a team sign him?
2. Can he get his speed and athleticism back?
I think it's realistic to believe the answer could be yes to both questions. Then you have to decide whether the upside for your FF team warrants the roster space and whether you'd feel comfortable cheering for Ruggs, which is a personal decision. I had Tyreek and Mixon on a bunch of my dynasty teams for many years. It was a little icky at times, but those guys had never gotten anyone killed. It would be harder to root for Ruggs.
karl.Racki
Footballguy
To bad that poor girl and her dog won't be around to see him play.. The scumbag got off real easy. Should be life IMO
karl.Racki
Footballguy
There isn comparison to what Watson or Vick did to what Ruggs did.. Ruggs basically incinerated a girl and her dog..
rockaction
Footballguy
What people are forgetting here is that the victim’s family is going to want him to play because whatever civil suit they bring will have juice to it.
You can’t get water out of a rock.
I feel horribly for the victim, but we’ll have to see what her family wants to do before making any judgment about what we’d hope see go down (I think). I mean, I don’t have strong feelings about whether or not he should play again and was a big Ruggs guy when he came into the league (I changed) so maybe there’s that, but I don’t think it’s anything personal on my end. It just is. The judge and justice system will likely take the family’s wishes into account, especially if the family wants him released for his earning potential.
You can’t get water out of a rock.
I feel horribly for the victim, but we’ll have to see what her family wants to do before making any judgment about what we’d hope see go down (I think). I mean, I don’t have strong feelings about whether or not he should play again and was a big Ruggs guy when he came into the league (I changed) so maybe there’s that, but I don’t think it’s anything personal on my end. It just is. The judge and justice system will likely take the family’s wishes into account, especially if the family wants him released for his earning potential.
Unfortunately, this is probably the most accurate take. If he's still 4.2 he'll get a shot. He'll be one of the few people I'll be heavily rooting against.
TartanLion
Footballguy
Five years is a joke for what transpired to happen.
Intent down?
fatness
Footballguy
I think Netflix could work with that one. "The Return of Hampy Ruggs".
Chaka
Footballguy
Take it up with the Nevada legislature.
Chaka
Footballguy
Why is it unfortunate?
Ruggs committed a crime. He is serving his time. When that time is up why shouldn't he be able to pursue a career after he is released?
rockaction
Footballguy
It’s because of the type of career and the amount of payment that happens. I don’t think most people would begrudge the guy a job hammering out license plates, but they begrudge him the glamorous nature and serious remuneration that comes with playing in the NFL. Now, my point upthread still stands and I tend to fall into your camp, but I can absolutely see why it’s not just “he did his time” when it comes to the NFL. There’s a logic in it even where it seems illogical.
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karl.Racki
Footballguy
dude got off easy as pie..He murdered someone.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
See Larry Mahoney - https://mezrano.com/tragedy-revisited-reflecting-on-the-carrollton-bus-collision-aftermath/
I know there was a big difference in loss of life...but....it just goes to show you how much tragedy can be caused by drunk driving.
"After spending less than 11 years behind bars, the man convicted of the nation's deadliest drunken driving accident, a head-on collision that killed 27 people, walked out of prison Wednesday as a free man."
It is my belief that once time is served, one should be able to continue their career of choice and not be blackballed.
I know there was a big difference in loss of life...but....it just goes to show you how much tragedy can be caused by drunk driving.
"After spending less than 11 years behind bars, the man convicted of the nation's deadliest drunken driving accident, a head-on collision that killed 27 people, walked out of prison Wednesday as a free man."
It is my belief that once time is served, one should be able to continue their career of choice and not be blackballed.
karl.Racki
Footballguy
insane.. I am true believer that if you take someone's life, yours should be taken as well..
We are so soft on DUI drivers in this country. there is no different in my opinion in a gun as weapon to a 4-5 thousand pound vehicle as a weapon
foxco
Footballguy
Maybe there's more dynasty players out there than I thought.
I don't 100% agree with the 1st sentence, but I do 100% agree with the 2nd one. Drunk driving accidents shouldn't be considered accidents, but intent to injure.
I was ok with Mike Tyson coming back and continuing his boxing career after prison. He "did his time" but I remember feeling more conflicted with Vick, when it was just dogs. With actual human life taken, I feel pretty icky about it. Maybe if anything above the minimum salary goes to his victim's family I could get on board?
Gjallarhorn
Footballguy
I am typically the guy that thinks that once you have paid your debt to society you should be free to work how you want. Maybe it is the 3 years part that rubs me the wrong way, In America, if you have money you can afford the best lawyers. If you have the best lawyers, you have a lesser penalty. What he did was egregious. He intentionally got drunk. He intentionally got behind the wheel. He intentionally drove 156 MPH. Does it really matter if he did not intentionally kill someone? Can I fire a gun into a crowd as long as I am not trying to kill someone?
Max Power
Footballguy
I'd guess league size and roster spots swing his value in some places. Most leagues I'm in, he isn't even in consideration.
A 14 team, 25 bench with 5x taxi slots for rookies... I'd consider it. The top free agent is Van Jefferson.
jm192
Footballguy
I actually think most teams wouldn't want the added press that comes with this.
He's 3 years removed from football. He's shown EXTREMLY poor decision making. You'd have to worry about future off the field problems.
And then the press is going to hammer you at every press conference. You may get protest groups. I just can't imagine what coach/GM wants to take on the risk and headache that comes with it.
He's 3 years removed from football. He's shown EXTREMLY poor decision making. You'd have to worry about future off the field problems.
And then the press is going to hammer you at every press conference. You may get protest groups. I just can't imagine what coach/GM wants to take on the risk and headache that comes with it.
BladeRunner
Footballguy
Hmmm...sounds like a Steelers type of WR.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
No way he plays in the NFL again.
Chaka
Footballguy
I think most of the "lock him up forever!!!" types, and I don't include you in that number, brains would explode if they really considered the implications of the government telling people what types of jobs they could and couldn't pursue as "free" people.
He committed his crime, he is serving the legislated punishment for that crime, and his status afforded him no favors in that regard, when his time is served he should be encouraged to seek any and meaningful employment opportunities. Full stop.
Any issues people have with that notion should be directed at with the Nevada State legislature, not Henry Ruggs.
This is a great point.
Someone brought up Ray Rice earlier and I always that poor lady suffered/paid twice. Once when her husband knocked her out, the second time when she lost her family's primary wage earners source of income. I remember thinking of her back then and thinking all the people who want Rice out, justified or not, was probably not the best outcome for the victim.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
I don’t disagree with that point of view, I just have a hard time thinking that an NFL team would entertain bringing him on board due to the distraction that comes with it.
But they consistently do this exact thing.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
Time will tell. I am trying to think of another case of this magnitude….maybe Donte Stallworth? Seems pretty rare but maybe I am missing a few…
Vick and Stallworth off the top of my head. May have been defined as probation but it's splitting hairs. Home confinement, ankle bracelets, drug and alcohol testing, regular meetings with probation officers,etc,etc.
That gets into trying to define magnitude which is different for people by and large depending if you judge Ruggs by the outcome of his actions or the intent. If you are judging by the outcome I don't know of anything worse. Stallworth was close, just a less horrific death. If you are judging by intent I'd say guys like Vick and Watson did worse. You may look at it one way, others may see it a different way but I can guarantee you certain factions of the society viewed the actions of premeditated acts done by some of those players as worse acts, just not worse outcomes.
TartanLion
Footballguy
As a deeply concerned citizen of Scotland, I have penned a very strongly worded letter and embarked on an incredibly vigorous leaflet campaign.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
I understand that view, however I think the outcome certainly matters to NFL teams. I am not here to debate magnitude and respect individuals viewpoints on that and understand they vary. If the victim survived this would be a completely different scenario, however I think NFL teams will avoid the distraction based on the outcome.
